Jill Tokuda

We were never expecting this disaster and tragedy. No one ever does.

This is a national crisis. This is a national problem.

We are trying to respectfully make sure that every person unaccounted for right now, we are praying for their safety.

On August 8, 2023, Lahaina experienced a devastating wildfire that destroyed the entire town and claimed the lives of 102 members of our community.

Should we not be looking for individuals that have the natural, immediate strategic empathy towards the theater in which we are finding ourselves engaged?

When we take a look at this whole complex issue of diversity, equity, and inclusion, when we really understand the historical context and understand that needs to be, you know, trained and educated upon our service men and women.

Is it important, then, as we train our service men and women, our soldiers, to look at the Indo-Pacific, yeah, and the first island chain right there that they do understand that Guam at one point, yes, it is territory now, but was…

When we look at Guam, for example, in a few days we will celebrate the liberation of Guam on the 21st from the occupation of Japan.

Should we not be looking for individuals that have the natural, immediate strategic empathy towards the theater in which we are finding ourselves engaged?

It would behoove us not to, you know, educate those individuals in our academies about things like the occupation of Guam.

We are extremely pleased that the proposed legislation before the U.S. Congress will ensure that FSM citizens living lawfully in the U.S. are again eligible for key public benefits.

I demand a recorded vote. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from South Carolina will be postponed. Amendment No. 34 Offered by Mr. Norman The Acting CHAIR…

May I inquire as to how much time is remaining. The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Hawaii has 1\1/2\ minutes remaining.

Ohia Lehua is foundational to our native ecosystems and is endemic to six of Hawaii's eight major islands.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak in support of this important bill.

I am understanding more the importance of the U.S. involvement in the Ukraine fight.

Making sure that it is in an accessible format is critical so we make sure, as you said, the money flows to where it is most needed right now.

I am particularly concerned about representation from our AANHPI (Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander) communities, geographically isolated communities like many that we find in Hawaii that are struggling with both cost and…

Cesspool conversion is a very big issue in many of our communities across our country, and I would say especially in rural America.

I do view our overall defense posture, especially in my home State of Hawaii, as needing to be a whole-of-government approach, including agriculture, including our ability to feed ourselves, protect our natural resources, live up to our…

I only ask that our witnesses here today consider a whole-of-government approach as we define and strengthen our relationship with both Okinawa and Hawaii.

I hope this committee will join me in applauding his courage and his service to his country.

We appreciate your consideration of the immense positive impact SNAP has on the lives of millions of Americans as well as its beneficial impact on the national economy and our nation's long-term financial sustainability.

I agree we need to do better.

We are talking about lives being in danger. We are talking about discrimination and hate racism in our country.